DON’T WAIT. The earlier you start campaigning the better. And don’t trust any ballot timetable the council may publicise - they regularly start ballots early so that tenants vote before getting material putting the arguments against.

Build a broad-based campaign. The most effective local campaigns are led by tenants, and supported by trade unions, local councillors and MPs. Involve everyone who agrees we need more investment in council housing and is prepared to oppose privatisation.

Contact your tenants federation or forum, and individual tenants associations in the area and ask them to back the campaign. Some will, others won’t because they are scared of losing council funding or have been incorporated too far into the stock options process. Argue strongly that even if they won’t oppose privatisation they should, at least, help distribute material to ensure that tenants hear both sides of the debate. Don’t give up if some ‘tenants reps’ aren’t responsive – tenants on the estates will be.

Organise a local DCH meeting to plan the campaign. Involve tenants, trade unionists and, where possible councillors and MPs too. Make a Freedom of Information Act request NOW for all the addresses (not tenant’s names) of council homes in the area so you can plan distribution of material effectively.

Question the council’s financial analysis. Councils frequently mislead tenants by painting a very black and white picture: transfer, PFI or ALMO or ‘you won’t get any improvements’. Often they create a higher local ‘Gold’ standard – and then say the council can’t afford it. Read the council’s ‘options appraisal’ report, ‘business plan’ and minutes of meetings. Find out what improvements the council can do and whether the extra work is worth the risks involved.

Approach local unions for financial support. Many unions have special regional and national funds that local branches can apply to. Contact local branches of Amicus, CWU, GMB, PCS, RMT, T&G, UCATT and UNISON (who all support the campaign) and the local Trades Council. Ask for funding and help with design and printing, organising meetings, loudspeakers, etc.

Lobby your councillors and MP. Councils try and create the impression that the outcome is a ‘done deal’ but don’t be intimidated. Many councillors will have voted without fully understanding the issues or questioning the advice of senior council officers (who usually stand to gain from the proposal). Some will be open to persuasion. ‘Thank you for sending me a copy regarding the Fourth Option. I dearly wish it was in my possession some months ago.’ North Somerset Councillor

Produce local material. Leaflet every home but also have stalls at markets and high streets and give out material at churches, mosques and to parents outside primary schools Order more copies of this newspaper to get the arguments across to tenants. DCH can also help with writing local leaflets (see examples on the campaign website) and by providing speakers for meetings and debates..

High visibility is important. Get posters up on every estate and street, and borrow a car loudspeaker to tour estates. Send letters to the local press, organise lobbies or stunts to get publicity and ask trade unions to sponsor adverts in the press to put the arguments across.

Demand a ballot. Some councils try and set up ALMOs or PFI schemes without holding a formal ballot of all tenants - if you don’t challenge them they will try to submit lesser evidence of consulting tenants to avoid a proper vote. Demand a full debate and a formal ballot of all tenants. Tenants in Camden, Lambeth, Nottingham, Sutton and elsewhere have all won this basic right. It’s called democracy.